Shrubs
Westringia, Genus, glabra, Species,
- Genus & species
Violet westringia
Overview
Westringia glabra is an evergreen shrub 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 m) tall and 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 m) wide, with an upright to rounded habit and slender, four-angled stems. Leaves are narrow-lanceolate to linear, 0.8–2 inches (2–5 cm) long, dark green, smooth, and arranged in whorls of three. Flowers are two-lipped, 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) long, violet to mauve with darker spots in the throat, and borne singly in the leaf axils along the branch tips. Fruit is a small, dry nutlet. Growth is moderate at 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) per year. Plants tolerate shearing, salt spray, and light frost, but they decline in waterlogged soil and in deep shade, where growth becomes sparse.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, including New South Wales and southern Queensland, growing in heath and open forest on sandy and rocky soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a low hedge, informal screen, or coastal planting, spaced 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) apart. Grown in containers and in mixed shrub borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 8'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Violet to mauveFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade (4–10 hours of sun) and well-drained soil of any texture with a pH of 5.5–8.0. Hardy to about 14°F (-10°C), equivalent to USDA zones 8–10. Established plants tolerate dry periods and are watered every 2–3 weeks in summer. Waterlogged soil leads to root rot. Fertilizer is applied once in spring using a low-phosphorus formulation.Pruning
Tolerates light shearing several times per year and is pruned after each flush of flowers. Cuts are made into leafy wood, since old leafless stems shoot poorly. Hard pruning of up to one-half of the growth is followed by recovery in one season.Pruning Schedule
Prune: December–January
summer
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons
